Thread by @buritica

earlier this year, I was very annoyed about something someone said when we announced this year's @jsconfco event.

you see, euro and anglo event organizers love going around the world telling everyone that their way is the way. they've become the final word on what diversity is supposed to look like, and experts on accessibility.

sometimes speakers do so too

it's condescending because they ignore they had the privilege to get there "first", to learn how to do it. in their ecosystems because there was funding and infrastructure that allowed them to do so.

they ignore how easy it is to put an incredible experience together, and pay every single speaker, and have food and a nursing room, etc. because they have access to companies that throw thousands of $/€

ticket prices to these events are also pretty bananas,

I was _extremely_ annoyed because I know community organizers all over the world who sometimes end up paying out of pocket to bring their community together with the bare minimum.

folks in places where the googles, fbs and all these other tech giants probably don't even have them in the city dropdown at sign up. so they won't put down a dime because there's no "talent" or "market".

these communities, hungry for knowledge and access to the world.

so when we talk about representation, diversity, and inclusion, but we go around defining what that should mean for others who may already know, but don't have the means to support their aspirational values, we're fucking up.

that day I chose not to pick a twitter fight, but I knew I'd have to do something about it instead. a few months later I ranted.

https://twitter.com/buritica/status/1139200696371372032?s=20

the same day, some wonderful friends showed up, and put their money next to mine and my big mouth.

today, after a few months of trying to sort stuff out, and thanks to the support of @ZChapple's nonprofit in Atlanta, I'm extremely happy to announce the @TheEmpanadaFund

. @theEmpanadaFund will:

- sponsor software community events in Latin America
- provide opportunity scholarships for Latinx folks in US/CA
- be happy to take your tech money, and put it to good use

Read more about it here:

RTs welcome

buriti.ca/announcing-the…

@TheEmpanadaFund don't want to read? cool

give us your money and spread the word <3

first grants given out in March 2020

donorbox.org/empanada-fund

@TheEmpanadaFund .@jonathant was the first person to give me cash, no questions asked 9 years ago with @koombea when I told him about my conference.

with this fund, we can pay it forward.

@TheEmpanadaFund we're $2250 away from our initial goal, which would put is around 40k for grants and scholarships in 2020.

70% grants for conferences
30% scholarships in US/Canada

if you or your company can donate, we will work very hard to ensure your money goes very far.

<3